It is hard to understand the PKK strategy. One thought is that they are risking a two front war by attacking Turkey while the Arabs to the south of them are heavily armed and organized into powerful militias. Another is that they are hoping to avoid a two front war by attacking Turkey while the Arab factions are fighting one another. A third possibility is that they are not thinking at all.

Almost any Iraq postwar scenario one can imagine includes Iraqi Kurdistan being independent in all but name. I had feared that an effectively independent Kurdistan on the Turkish border could lead to tension and possibly fighting after the war. I was wrong. It is has already started.

The New York Times reported on Friday 8 June 2007 that there have been Kurdish People’s Party (PKK) guerrilla raids in Turkey. The Turkish army is massing troops on the Iraqi (i.e. Kurdish) border.

There seems no end to the bad new coming out of Iraq.

are you kidding me? your government established the whole organization and you want them to restrict its actions ? all dictator governments have such organizations to kill people and to show their cruelty and power!

But you know what Pouyan, it is biting them back in the ass (excuse my language) I mean, the government did give previlages to these extremists.. now that these extremists have a bit of power many have turned against the government!
So.. now the government has to clean this to secure its power. But because of the power religious extremists have (our country being so called ruled by Islam) this matter has to be dealt with extreme sensitivity and caution. We are depending on each other some how.

I remember one of the highly ranked members of the royal family mentioning that they do not have a problem with women driving.. it is the society that has to decide (knowing that we are divided and most are considered extremists in their faith)

So.. every one is throwing the ball into each others court!

Saudi is a very closed society that does not welcome change easily. Believe me.. talking and discussing our problems in the open is a START.. a few years ago, this was not even possible.. I agree with you, I would love to go to the next step.. but how should I do that knowing I would be slaughtered and my voice would be quitened.
The problem is alot of us here work as individuals to reach our goals, We should be more connected and united.. and we should have a plan as you mentioned!

but it should start with us.

I know that change is possible, but I can assure you it’s not possible if you just want it! something has to be done, something serious, something calculated. We have the same problem here, we want it, but we don’t know how to gain it! you know it’s their politic to let you taste a little bit of freedom (having your voice herad, open media etc.) just to keep your mouth shut!

government should restrict their actions and prevent them from terrorizing and invading people’s privacy.

are you kidding me? your government established the whole organization and you want them to restrict its actions ? all dictator governments have such organizations to kill people and to show their cruelty and power!

have you anything on mind to avoid such circumstances and to have a better country? is it even possible?

Change is possible, it may take longer time than I hoped but it should start with us. Saudi citizens should not sit on their asses and wait for things to change, I have seen a difference lately within the media, people are starting to write about such incidences in the country. Having our voices heard is a start I think although there are opposing voices too

I believe that this matter (religious police) can be salved if people stopped fearing them so much. they can be weakened by the media, by exposing their harmful acts. We have to make sure that they do get punished like any other citizen, it is about time they know they are not above the law as they thought they were. They should not get away with murder as they have before.
The government should restrict their actions and prevent them from terrorizing and invading people’s privacy.
They should not be allowed to arrest people as they do, this is the police’s job (ministry of interior’s responsibility.. not theirs!)

I think it is very difficult to visit, you should either have a job permit or to be invited some how..
Many come for Hajj or Omra, but can’t stay longer than the allowed time..
I will have to ask for you if you like.

It is really distressing watching and living in such atmosphere. Many have become used to the situation and the ways of life here that they just pass by and nod these problems off.. They are not willing to change, I have seen many who would say thank god, we are doing well, our families are ok, our children go to schools… bla bla bla. That is so selfish!
Are they just waiting for their turn? will they take a stand when something like this happens to them or their children? Why wait until it’s too late?

Anyway, thanks. These stories and reports are always so distressing.

Ray Hanania